SGP art week Jan 2015

This morning I wake up with a typical weekend mood, feeling fresh and relaxed. The long vacation indeed  has had longer than expected peace in my mind. After the morning ritual with breakfast, fruit and coffee, I practised playing serenade for a while and then continued reading excessive yet engaging Steve Jobs' s biography.

Later in the day, chatting with my piano tutor, I was recommended to attend Aliwal urban art festival which was held just within walking distance from my place. I was a little disinclined initially because the event seemed to showcase a hippie or counterculture style which I am definitely not into. At last, the incentive of exploring new things dragged me to the avenue.

The festival features an energetic line-up of exciting performances, showcases, street art jams, graffiti participated by skateboarders, street dancers, bands and DJs etc. A mixture of international onlookers undeniably added a bustling ambiance to this district.

I moved several places interchangeably from the park to multipurpose halls enjoying the shows. I was told a carefree happy go lucky person so anything pleasant could easily lighten my mood. A bottle of ginger beer was not able to intoxicate me enough so I drank another glass of cherry cocktail with vodka. I found myself swaying to the music in the crowd of audience, or simply leaning against the wall watching people dancing.

I left early and went home at around 10 pm. Whether the distance to my place was indeed short or I was too tipsy to be mindful of the surroundings, I already reached home without brooding much thought.

Until I typed these last words, Dreamcatcher by Secret garden is played ending my day peacefully.

Some photos taken today

Testing the camera, chickenpox still scatters around my mouth 

What a pity! No clear proof of my tipsy face

Went with my chick but she abandoned my halfway to join another party.

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

One day I will be playing this masterpiece requested by Daddy

Christmas and holiday season 2014

This year's festive season was so special that I need to share on my blog. It could be considered "unique" compared to previous years as there was no feeling of "Xmas is coming to town" or any desire to watch firework, etc. In fact, I both voluntarily and accidentally isolated myself from the outside world to spend more time for self reflection

On Xmas's Eve, I was riding my scooter around Vung Tau streets to look for some garments for my temple stay after getting approval from the head of zen monastery. I was desperately searching around, wandering back and forth, fortunately, I at last found one shop on Ba Cu street owned by a very amicable lady. I went back home, parking my scooter, packing my personal stuff and kissing goodbye Mommy despite her effort to retain me home.

A moped driver brought me to Chon Khong monastery located at the side of Big mountain at 8.30 pm Xmas' Eve. The main gate had been already closed by that time so I had to call their phone number to ask someone to open the gate for me. That night, from the balcony, I gazed to the sparkling view of my hometown upon the tranquility and serenity in my heart.

The schedule at the monastery was extremely rigid. A typical day started at 3am for 2 hour meditation. Meditation of buddhism is very different from that of yoga. I could barely meditate for more than 30 minutes partly due to the painstaking lotus posture. My mind was just wandering somewhere, particularly to some person recently stepping into my world (confession time). After came the breakfast when chanting was ceremoniously carried on for 15 minutes until my hunger for food almost vanished and the food already got cold. Apart from cleaning and wiping floors, I spent the rest of the day studying buddhism philosophies (Buddhism101). The most precious time was speaking with the guru about Dhamma, problems in outside world and how to apply buddhism tenets into real life.

Con Dao island Dec 2014

At last I managed to secure a flight ticket to Con Dao island after several failed attempts in the previous vacations. The next morning right after Hong Kong trip with lovely daddy and mommy, I continued packing and flying to the long awaiting island alone. 

Hardly does any place impress me in the first moments like Con Dao. The hotel taxi picked me up from the airport, driving through the long narrow coastal road where I could view the other isolated islands within the archepelago in the smoky sight. 

Throughout the whole trip, I can feel its natural untouched beauty with breathtaking  hills and mountains, long beaches, hidden lagoons and conservative national parks, etc. I was literally the sole visitor in almost attractions here except for Hang Duong cemetery. 

My companion and photographer is an old local uncle working as a moped driver. He was very enthusiastic but his honesty struck me most and left me a warm feeling towards Con dao and its locals, majority of whom are immigrants from Southern Provinces coming here in the hope of settling down a better life .

My first spot is Van Son temple located in a mountain. I'm so into the serenity and peace that the temple could bestow.

Tiger cage: My whole body was trembled when witnessing suffocating prison cells and imaginating how horrendously prisoners had been tortured by rulers in war time

After leaving the prison, I continued discovering Con Dao's amazing sceneric views. The strong wind indeed hindered me from taking perfect photos as my hair was disheveled messily

Hang Duong cemetery: I visited this place both daylight and night. I was astonished by the sacred ambience where hundreds of visitors came here to light incense rods on graves and pray for good luck. 

National Park. 

Ong Dung Beach